Lilac GreenStalk Vertical Planter: Set Up, Filled, Planted

 Before going to the FamilySearch Center this morning I put the wheels on the swirly base for the lilac-colored GreenStalk Vertical planter.  Of course I did not see the instructions, I just followed someone who showed what to do on YouTube.  Sadly that person did not mention staggering the locking wheels and i did not notice the difference so all three locking wheels are on one side.  Oh well.  It will probably be okay, right!?

 When I returned home from the FSC I mixed together the organic potting mix with some wonderful compost from BC Mulch and More.  While there I was instructed on how to get our lawn to look like a lawn instead of a back lot.  I hope to get started on that soonish.  Must speak to dear neighbor first.

After mixing the soil I filled the containers, placed the containers and their individual watering containers on top of each other then finally planted 2 Contender string beans in 12 holes and planted two zucchini plants and four yellow marigolds the latter six in the bottom layer.  I hope to plant some flowers or maybe some lettuce or more kale in the top layer.  Just not today.

After completing this job I picked the blueberries which really were ripe this time.  The two Brightwell plans produced best…and taste delicious.

First Time Warping Rigid Heddle Loom For Kitchen Towels

 For some time I have planned to weave kitchen towels.  Yesterday I got step one finished.

Today I finished it up...a long process.  If you are a rigid heddle loom weaver you can see that there are some problems...but I am hoping for the best anyway!

The yarn is Maurice Brassard 8/4 cotton.  The loom is a 32" Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom.  I have warped 220 ends and plan to weave at 10 ends per inch.  I am trying a houndstooth plus some plain weave and some stripes. I hope it won't be ghastly!  We shall see.

Kale! Quite a Few Varieties...

 A couple of months ago I was in a store where seeds were sold.  I saw a packet that had multiple kale varieties.  I hoped I would have some curly kale and some dinosaur kale.

This was our kale meal for tonight...the first time I have harvested from the GreenStalk.  Last year the bugs got the kale.  Miserable things!  There are at least five different kale varieties in this dish...one of which is the looked-for dinosaur kale but NOT the curly kale.  I might plant a few more seeds later in the season and see if I get curly kale.  Either way, this was a delightful mess of cooked kale for supper!  At least I for one enjoyed it!

The second harvest of wax beans was on the table for supper, as well.  I cooked both the kale and the beans in the 3-quart Instant Pot.  It appears as if that piece of equipment is on its way out.  Last week, for no reason I could ascertain, the top black knob "blew" twice.  I washed everything and put in a new gasket.  Today the IP did not come up to pressure.  I may do some online investigation to see if I can figure it out.  If I cannot, I will say goodbye to this one.  And probably not replace since we have an 8-quart plus a 6-quart Max that zi use for pressure canning leftovers.  That works so good for us since we can can in pint jars, four at a time.  Works great.

So: solicitation for help:  has anyone had Instant Pot problems they were able to fix? I would love to know what you did.  Many thanks.

Another Small But Satisfyling Harvest!

 Here is another photo of the back deck harvest 2025.

They are called Sun (Something), though not Sun Gold. I have not been able to find those here.  The harvested tomatoes have all been consumed.  I hope there will be a few more.

When I purchased the plant it said the variety was very productive.  I guess that meant when it was planted in the ground.  It is in a pretty good-sized pot on the deck.  Maybe not enough dirt.  

If someone has suggestions for container planting for maximum harvest, I would love your suggestions.  Still, I am pretty happy.  I really cannot eat as many fresh tomatoes as I would like to. Back in the old days many years ago I ate tons of them every day...four, five, six full-sized tomatoes. Yummy!  Developed skin allergies and then intestinal allergy SO...I don't need more of that kind of thing. The medicine does enough unpleasantness without my help.  It is sad, though...

First Blueberry Harvest!

 Last week we had our first blueberry harvest which made us very happy!

Yes, it is a small bowl and there are not very many berries.  And yes, they are not as sweet as we hoped for BUT that is because in retrospect, they were not really ripe.  They just looked blue in comparison to the other berries.  We will check again later this week and hope for sweeter berries.

Wax Beans Ready To Pick

 It is great that these beans are ready to eat.  Of course,  there are only about ten beans, but Dear One will be happy when I pick them and cook them!

Don't they look yummy!  They are growing in the GreenStalk Vertical Planter.  I just ordered a lilac colored planter to put some flower into.  I think.  The planter we already have has the string beans, basil, strawberries, kale, and volunteer marigolds growing. I will use the marigolds for wool dyeing since I loved the gentle yellow color last year.

The GreenStalk people have added Lemon Yellow and Blueberry color to their line-up of planters!!!

Woven Placemats Completed

 A friend's daughter is now married.  When I learned of the upcoming nuptials I decided to weave some placemats for the young people.  Well, they are done so I guess I shall share the details.

The yarn used was Knit Picks Dishie yarn in Azure and Linen, I think.  At least that is what I put in the Ravelry page. 

The Ashford 16" rigid heddle loom with the 7.5 dent heddle is the loom I used.  I warped the whole 16" width.  I do not remember what the length was that I used for the warp length.  The plan was to weave six placemats plus the loom waste, whatever that length was.

The striped mats are for the wedding gift, mainly because the gingham mats have too many problems with them.

The last two times I have woven a project I have been inclined to spend more time weaving. I do actually have a few projects in mind!   We shall see...Weaving is actually easier on the hands than knitting!